EXPLORERS FALL LATE TO BIRDS
Canaries Take Series With Run In Ninth
By: Will Glocker
Sioux City, Iowa (July 15th, 2022) – The Sioux Falls Canaries scored a run in the ninth to take game two and the series from the Explorers, 5-4.
Sioux Falls picked picked up where they left off from game one scoring a run in the first. Osvaldo Martinez led off the inning with a walk and came around to score on a Jabari Henry double to give the Canaries a 1-0 lead.
The Explorers came right back and scored two of their own in the bottom of the first. Amaral led off with a single and a stolen bag, followed by a Trey Martin walk. Danry Vasquez doubled home Martin and Amaral to give the Explorers a 2-1 lead.
The Canaries took back the lead in the third to go up 4-2. After a single and walk to Angelo Altavilla and Martinez, Henry hit a three run homer to left giving him four RBI in the game.
The X’s cut the Canary lead down to one in the fourth. Ademar Rifaela led off with a single and advanced to second on a Tyler Rando single. Rifaela later came in to score on the first of two Blake Tiberi sacrifice fly outs to make it 4-3.
Joey Pulido lasted five innings and gave up three runs on eight hits. He struck out four and walked one while taking a no decision.
In the sixth the Explorers tied up the game. Rando doubled to right and advanced to third on a Samson single. Rando came in to score on the second Tiberi sacrifice fly, locking the game up 4-4.
Tom Windle tossed six innings allowed four runs on six hits, he walked three and struck out six in a no decision.
In the ninth Sioux Falls took back the lead. Altavilla singled with one out and then stole second. Trey Michalczewski singled to center with two out to score Altavilla and give the Canaries a 5-4 lead. Thomas McIlraith (3-3) was handed the loss as he allowed the run in one inning of work with three strikeouts.
Riley Ferrell (11) pitched the ninth and picked up his second save of the series. Matt Dunaway (2-0) received the win in relief.
With the win the Canaries guarantee themselves the lions share of the season series from Sioux City. Claiming the season set for the first time since 2016-
The series finale will take place on Saturday at 6:05 pm. The lefty Patrick Ledet (2-2, 3.66) gets the nod for the Explorers. The Canaries will send southpaw Cesilio Pimentel (0-0, 4.50) to the mound.